Impact apparatus

ABSTRACT

An impact apparatus, or driving tool for pipe or piling, with pneumatic-hydraulic actuation. The apparatus is selectively positioned relative to a surface or object to be impacted. The apparatus has a hammer barrel housing an anvil surface and a piston element. The piston element is reciprocated relative to the anvil surface by intermittent application of hydraulic pressure.

0 United States Patent 11 1 1111 3,833,069 Back Sept. 3, 1974 IMPACT APPARATUS 2,904,964 9 1959 Kupka 173 134 3,012,540 12/1961 Vincent et al. 173/132 [75] Inventor- Carl Back 3,583,499 6/1971 Cordes 173 132 [73] Assignee: The Sanderson-Cyclone Drill Company, Orrville, Ohio Primary Examiner.lames A. Leppink 2 Attorney, Agent, or FirmMaCk Cook, 21] A 1. No.1375 508 pp 57 ABSTRACT [52 us. c1. 173/120, 173/134 impact apparatus or driving tool for P of Filing, 51 1111. c1 1325a 9/00, E02d 7/00 with Pneumatic-hydraulic actuation The W is [58] Field of Search 173/134 137 138 120 selectively positioned relative to a surface or object to 3 116 be impacted. The apparatus has a hammer barrel housing an anvil surface and a piston element. The [56] References Cited piston element is reciprocated relative to the anvil sur- UNITED STATES PATENTS face by intermittent application of hydraulic pressure. 2,208,730 7/-1940 Pfeiffet 173/134 2 Claims, 4 Drawin Figures l L 51 4 5o 1 -FROM 61 I h 786 I h |77 r79 -74 56 89 l as 4 L ,3

F 7 a /B8 s/7Q \E 82 Q s1o- I -.-e7

| -T0 s2 1 E 96 IMPACT APPARATUS C ROSS-REFERENC E TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The subject matter of this invention is related to the subject matter of co-pending application titled Drilling Machine With Driving Tool For Casing or Pipe, Ser. No. 375,509, filed July 2, 1973.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to an impact apparatus which may be used, for example, as a driving tool for pipe or piling. Therefore, in one sense the field of art to which the invention pertains is a pile driver" (Class 61/73).

The apparatus uses pneumatic-hydraulic or air-oil systems for actuation. Therefore, in another sense, the field of art to which the invention pertains may be considered as a fluid pressure operated work device, as classified in Class 92, sub-classes 10, 30 or I98.

The prior art devices have had an inherently large mass, a weight such that when raised or hoisted the f mu calculation would provide the necessary impact energy. However, a heavy impact apparatus is not as portable. An impact apparatus lacking portability may not be easily positioned relative to a surface or object to be impacted.

Whatever the form of the prior art devices, the disadvantages thereof generally include complexity of the supporting structure, lack of portability, a low efficiency in terms of energy input versus work performed, and a slow rate or low frequency in the work perfomiing cycle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide an improved impact apparatus, or driving tool for pipe or piling, with pneumatic-hydraulic actuation.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an impact apparatus with a relatively low mass but which is capable of developing relatively high f= mu impact energy.

Still further, it is an object of the invention to provide an impact apparatus which does not require complex supporting structure, is portable, has a high efficiency in terms of energy input versus work performed, and a fast rate or high frequency in the work performing cycle.

These and other objects of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, will be apparent in view of the Detailed Description of the Invention as set forth below.

In general, an impact apparatus according to the invention has a hammer barrel with an interior bore vented to atmosphere intermediate the ends thereof. The interior bore has a smaller diameter portion at one end communicating with a larger diameter portion at the other end. The bore is vented radially of a large diameter portion. The area between the small and large diameter bore portions provides a generally transversely extending anvil surface. A plate closes the large diameter bore portion. A spindle element extends from the plate coaxially through the bore and terminates adjacent the end of a small diameter portion. A piston element is movable within said bore coaxially around the spindle element. The piston element has a small diameter portion slidably received within the small diameter bore portion and a large diameter portion slidably received within the large diameter bore portion. The large diameter bore portion is adapted for connection to a constant source of pneumatic pressure. The small diameter portion of the bore is adapted for connection to an intermittent source of hydraulic pressure. The piston element is reciprocated relative to the anvil surface, to provide impact energy, by an intermittent application of hydraulic pressure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a schematic view, showing the impact apparatus according to the invention and connections to sources of pneumatic and hydraulic pressure;

FIG. 2 is a view in section showing the impact apparatus, with the piston element having been reciprocated against the anvil surface to provide impact energy;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, with the piston element having been reciprocated away from the anvil surface to develop the f ma calculation; and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary top plan view, taken substantially as indicated on line 44 of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION An impact apparatus, or driving tool for pipe or piling, according to the invention is indicated generally by the numeral 50. The apparatus 50 is adapted to be selectively positioned relative to a surface or object (not shown), as by a top ring 51 which is engaged by a hook 52 suspended from a hoist chainor cable 53. However, any suitable structure for positioning the apparatus relative to a surface or object to be impacted could be used wihout departing from the subject matter of the invention.

The apparatus has a hammer barrel referred to generally by the numeral 55, an interior bore referred to generally by the numeral 56, an interior bore vent as at 57, an anvil surface referred to generally by the numeral 58, a spindle element referred to generally by the,

numeral 59, and a piston element referred to generally by the numeral 60.

A source of supply of pneumatic energy, or air under pressure, is referred to generally by the numeral 61. A source or supply of hydraulic energy, or oil under pressure. is referred to generally by the numeral 62.

As shown, the hammer barrel 55 is preferably cylindrical; for ease of fabrication, as by forging, and for compactness. However, other exterior geometric configurations could be provided without departing from the subject matter of the invention. In any form, the hammer barrel 55 would have a hardened or strengthened transverse or bottom impact area or surface 66.

The interior bore 56 extending axially of the hammer barrel 55 has a smaller diameter lower portion 67 and a larger diameter upper portion 68. Illustrative diameters and dimensions of the bore portions 67 and 68, as well as of the other components of the apparatus 50, are set forth below.

The bore vent 57 opens radially of the large diameter bore portion 68. The area between the bore portions 67 and 68 provides the anvil surface 58. As shown, the anvil surface 58 extends transversely of the hammer barrel 55 for contact with the piston element 60. However, other surface configurations, such as a concave anvil surface for contact with a convex piston element surface, could be used without departing from the subject matter of the invention. Therefore, the anvil surface may be broadly described as generally transversely extending".

The lower or small diameter bore portion 67 has an annular chamber 69 extending axially around the spindle element 59 and having a manifold 70 communicating with an exteriorly opening conduit 71, adapted to be connected to the source of hydraulic pressure 62 for reacting against the lower end of the piston element 60.

As shown, the upper end of the hammer barrel and the large diameter bore portion 68 are closed by a plate 72, attached as by bolts 73. The plate 72 may also have mounted thereon the top ring 51. The under surface of the plate 72 may also have an annular chamber .74 communicating with an exteriorly opening conduit 75, adapted to be connected to the source of pneumatic pressure 61 for reacting against the upper end of the piston element 60.

The central portion of the top plate may have a recess 76 therein to receive the upper end of the spindle element 59. Suitable pressure seals, such as O-rings 77, may be used to maintain a pressure sealed relation between the spindle element 59 and the top plate 72, and the top plate 72 and the hammer barrel 55.

The spindle element 59 extends from the plate 72 coaxially through the bore 56 and terminates adjacent the lower end of the small diameter bore 67, as by seating against a shoulder or flange 78. The exterior surface 79 of the spindle element 59 forms the radially inner wall of the pressure chamber 69.

As shown, the spindle element 59 is cyclindrical; for

ease of fabrication, formed from a length of pipe or V tubing. However, other geometric configurations could be used without departing from the subject matter of the invention. ln any form, the spindle element 59 would have an axially directed surface 79 for slidably mounting the piston element for movement within the bore 56.

The piston element 60 has an interior bore with a surface 81 for mating engagement with the spindle surface 79. Suitable pressure for seals, such as O-rings 82, may be used to maintain a pressure sealed relation between the spindle element 59 and the piston element 60.

The piston element 60 has a small diameter lower portion 83 slidably received within the small diameter bore portion 67 and movable within the pressure chamber 69. Suitable pressure seals, such as O-rings" 84, may be used to maintain a pressure sealed relation between the bore portion 67 and the piston portion 83.

The piston element 60 has a large diameter upper portion 85 slidably received within the large diameter bore portion 68. The under surface 86 of the piston portion 85 is generally transversely extending for contact with the anvil surface 58.

The lower radial surface of the piston portion 85, adjacent the anvil contact surface 86, is relieved, as is the facing surface of the upper bore portion 68 to provide an annular chamber 87 communicating with the bore vent 57. The upper radial surface of the piston portion 85 carries suitable pressure seals, such as "O-rings" 88, which may be used to maintain a pressure sealed relation between the bore portion 68 and the piston portion 85.

The upper surface 89 of the piston portion is provided with counter bores providing chambers 90 communicating with the-chamber 74 in the top plate 72.

Referring to FIG. 1, the source of pneumatic pressure 61 includes an air compressor 91, a constant pressure regulating valve 92, a check valve 93, and a conduit 94 adapted to be connected to the top plate conduit 75. During operation of the impact apparatus 50, pneumatic pressure is continuously or constantly supplied via conduit 75 to the bore portion 68 and chambers 74 and 90 so as to react against the upper side of the piston element 60.

Referring to FIG. 1, the source of hydraulic pressure 62 includes a reservior 95 supplying hydraulic fluid or oil to the hammer barrel conduit 71 via conduit 96, pump 97, and a standard four-way valve 98. During operation of the impact apparatus 50, the hydraulic pressure is intermittently applied against the lower side of the piston element 60. As shown, the hydraulic fluid is intermittently, selectively or sequentially dumped" as by a piping and valve system including a lateraly conduit 99, a pilot operated valve 100, a by pass conduit 101 and sequence valve 102.

The subject matter of the invention, providing for the raising of the piston element 60 away from the anvil surface 58 by the application of hydraulic pressure from source 62 so as to further compress the pneumatic fluid from source 61, and thereafter dumping the hydraulic pressure, is capable of developing relatively high f ma impact energy.

lLLUSTRATlVE EMBODIMENT Dimensions and weights of one form of impact apparatus 50 are:

i. hammer barrel 55,25 inches high, 13.5 inches diameter, 750 pounds;

ii. lower bore 67, 7 inch diameter and spindle element 5.5 inch diameter, provide 14.75 square inch piston area for lower piston portion 83;

iii. upper bore portion 68, 12 inch diameter and spindle element 5.5 inch diameter, provide 89 square inch piston area for upper piston portion 85;

iv. piston element 60, 6 inch stroke, 150 pounds;

v. volume above piston element 60 when down FIG.

2 on anvil surface 58, 856 cubic inches;

vi. volume above piston element 60 when up FIG. 3

against top plate 72, 320 cubic inches;

vii. pneumatic pressure compression ratio, 2.7.

it has been determined for this embodiment of impact apparatus 50 that psi from an air pressure source 61 and 2,000 psi from a hydraulic pressure source 62, will provide an impact energy of 4,765 foot pounds (calculated at 80 percent efficiency) and at a frequency of 30 strokes per minute.

What is claimed is:

1. An impact apparatus having a hammer barrel with an interior bore vented to atmosphere, said bore having a smaller diameter bore portion at one end communicating with a larger diameter portion at the other end, the area between said small and large diameter bore portions providing a generally transversely extending anvil surface, a plate closing said large diameter bore portion, a spindle element extending from said plate coaxially through said bore and terminating adjacent the end of said small diameter bore portion, a piston element movable within said bore coaxially around said spindle element, said piston element having a small diameter portion slidably received within said small diwhereby, the piston element is reciprocated relative ameter bore portion and a large diameter portion slidto the anvil surface, to provide impact energy, by ably received within said large diameter bore portion, an intermittent application of hydraulic pressure.

the large diameter bore portion being adapted for con- 2. An impact apparatus according to claim 1, nection to a constant source of pneumatic pressure, 5 wherein said plate closing said large diameter bore porsaid small diameter bore portion being adapted for contion carries thereon a structure for positioning said apnection to an intermittent source of hydraulic pressure, paratus relative to a surface or object to be impacted. 

1. An impact apparatus having a hammer barrel with an interior bore vented to atmosphere, said bore having a smaller diameter bore portion at one end communicating with a larger diameter portion at the other end, the area between said small and large diameter bore portions providing a generally transversely extending anvil surface, a plate closing said large diameter bore portion, a spindle element extending from said plate coaxially through said bore and terminating adjacent the end of said small diameter bore portion, a piston element movable within said bore coaxially around said spindle element, said piston element having a small diameter portion slidably received within said small diameter bore portion and a large diameter portion slidably received within said large diameter bore portion, the large diameter bore portion being adapted for connection to a constant source of pneumatic pressure, said small diameter bore portion being adapted for connection to an intermittent source of hydraulic pressure, whereby, the piston element is reciprocated relative to the anvil surface, to provide impact energy, by an intermittent application of hydraulic pressure.
 2. An impact apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said plate closing said large diameter bore portion carries thereon a structure for positioning said apparatus relative to a surface or object to be impacted. 